SNOHOMISH -- The Snohomish River Valley was enshrouded in fog Saturday morning.But Snohomish Slew, the famous bullfrog weather prognosticator, didn't see it as an indicator of things to come.Nope, he thinks spring will come early this year. He's so sure, he predicted it with his croak.Well, sort of.He didn't croak on cue when brought to the microphone. But he did croak later.And he's been croaking all week, said Thayer Cueter, aka the "Frog Lady." She's Snohomish Slew's keeper when he isn't being called upon to make his annual prediction."Spring is upon us; spring is coming," Cueter said.This is the eighth year that the annual spring prognostication event, known as GroundFrog Day, has been held in downtown Snohomish.It was the first time Hanna Hopp, of Everett, and her 9-year old daughter, Isabella, had attended. "We heard him croaking," she said. "It's an early spring according to Slew."Gerrie Gardner of Snohomish brought her daughter, Isabelle Warg, 5, to the event. "We decided we'd show up for the frog so we'd know what's going to happen," she said.Besides, it's good for kids to know about amphibians, she said.Her daughter woke up Saturday and "wanted to see the frog -- period," Gardner said.Betsy Sargent of Kirkland said she came to town Saturday to have breakfast, but heard about the event and decided to stop by so she could take a picture of Snohomish Slew.But how about that prediction of an early spring? Whenever it comes, "it's always a welcome thing," she said.Shirley Hyatt, of Everett, brought her five grandchildren to the event. She had attended last year, and decided it was worth a return trip. "The kids had a good time, a lot of fun," she said.Tori Hyatt, 8, of Marysville, said she agreed with Snohomish Slew's predictions of an early spring arrival. "I think it will be early, too," she said.Lily Hyatt, 9, of Snohomish, said it was the second time she had come to the event and she would come again.Lori Jean Hatch, a board member of Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, said she has volunteered at the event for the past six years. She was previously selected as a Groundfrog Queen as well."It's fun and you get to see the looks on kids' faces when the frog croaks," she said.Besides, she said, "You get to dress in green, one of my favorite colors."Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com

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